With summer temperatures soaring and children on school vacation, many parents are encouraging swimming as a way to beat the heat and stay active. However, the sudden hike in swimming pool entry fees under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) jurisdiction has left citizens shocked and frustrated. Earlier, entry fees were fairly affordable—children were charged ₹25-30 and adult’s ₹50 for 30 to 60 minutes.
Now, authorities have imposed a flat rate of ₹50 for everyone, regardless of age. This increase, without a standardized pricing system, has sparked criticism among parents. Complaints have emerged about some pool staff arbitrarily charging extra fees, which adds to the confusion and financial burden.
Parents have demanded BBMP to regulate these charges and ensure uniform pricing across all public pools. Popular areas like Mahalakshmi Layout and Vijayanagar are witnessing high footfalls, especially from children enjoying summer breaks, making the issue more pressing.
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has issued a warning against unauthorized fee collection and promised strict action against violators. Despite this, discrepancies in pricing persist, pointing to lax enforcement.
This increase adds to the growing cost of living in Bengaluru, where residents are already grappling with hikes in bus fares, milk, metro tickets, and electricity bills. For many, a once-in-a-while visit to the swimming pool has now become yet another financial strain.